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College of Health and Human Service Students, Faculty, and Staff Help Crush COVID By Supporting Virginia Department of Health COVID Vaccination Efforts
Dozens of Mason faculty, staff and students will support local efforts to vaccinate eligible residents during a two-day vaccination clinic run by Fairfax County Health Department. The vaccination clinic will serve eligible residents, including home-based childcare providers, and employees of Fairfax County who have registered with the county health department to receive vaccines.
Within just hours of being notified about volunteer opportunities at the clinic, more than 200 students from the College of Health and Human Services volunteered to participate and complete the Virginia Department of Health five-module training program. Participating in the clinic offers students hands-on experience in pandemic response- where they will play an integral role in key aspects of managing the vaccination site, including checking in community members and providing logistical support. Faculty and students who meet County requirements will administer the vaccine.
“While some universities may be concerned that college students are spreading COVID, Mason students are playing a central role in controlling the pandemic and keeping our communities safe,” says Dr. Germaine Louis, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Students from across disciplines are helping their community and getting experience in the many aspects of planning and executing a mass vaccination effort. These are skills and experiences they will carry throughout their careers and help build the future public health infrastructure.”
Faculty and students in the College’s School of Nursing will be integral to vaccination events such as this. Qualified students will administer the vaccine and monitor recipients after the dose is administered. Dr. Martha Kubik, Director of the School of Nursing says, “Our faculty and nursing students are committed to community health and are well-positioned to play an increasingly important role in the region’s COVID-19 response.”
In addition to supporting Fairfax County Health Department’s vaccination efforts, faculty, staff, and students from the College are also helping safeguard the community through vaccination efforts with Prince William County Health Department and holding clinics at the Manassas Park location of the Mason and Partners Clinic. The MAP Clinics are following CDC guidelines for administering and prioritizing vaccines. “Offering vaccinations at the MAP Clinics is an excellent example of academic and community partnership. We can deliver evidence-based best practices to benefit the community and provide students with valuable learning experience,” says Dr. Rebecca Sutter, assistant professor and Co-Director of the MAP Clinics.
A Note from the University:
If you have questions about availability and registration for vaccine, please use this tool to determine how and when to access vaccine. As information about vaccine availability through Mason’s partners or Mason becomes available, information will be shared with the university community.